A solar expansion tank (solar xtank; circled) is a critical component of a solar water heating system. The solar xtank pictured is sized to maintain system pressure during stagnation.

Manufacturers use a variety of pressure-relief valves for their pump stations. The rating for the valve (circled) in this PAW pump station is 87 psi.

Some residential SWH systems may require the use of a larger, floor-mounted expansion tank (circled) to accommodate the steam expansion that occurs during stagnation.

In systems with a large volume of HTF, a prevessel can protect the membrane from excessive temperatures by decreasing the temperature of the HTF in the expansion system.

Intermediate

Adding the glycol’s thermal expansion to the steam expansion equals the total amount of fluid that the expansion tank must be able to absorb. The membrane in the expansion tank must be able to stretch enough to accept this fluid volume. Expansion tanks have an acceptance volume specification. Even if an expansion tank is rated as an solar expansion tank by the manufacturer, it is important to verify that its acceptance volume is large enough—some larger solar expansion tanks have larger air cushions than smaller models, but have the same acceptance volume.

Any reserve volume that is stored in the solar expansion tank when the system is initially charged must be factored into the acceptance volume. In cold climates, it is common for installers to inflate the air cushion to 2 to 3 psi below the initial system pressure. When the system is filled with glycol and pressurized, the air cushion will compress a bit and allow the solar expansion tank to hold a small amount of glycol. On cold nights, when the collector fluid cools, some of this reserve volume of glycol will enter the system piping to accommodate any glycol contraction. You may need an additional 0.1 to 0.2 gallons of acceptance volume for each collector in the system to account for the reserve volume.

Once you have identified a solar expansion tank with a sufficient acceptance volume, it is important to ensure that the air cushion is large enough. As the fluid expands, the air cushion in the solar expansion tank will compress. If there is a relatively small range between the system’s normal operating pressure and the pressure at which the pressure-relief valve opens, a larger air cushion is needed to accommodate the expanded volume of fluid. If the difference between the normal operating pressure and the relief-valve rating is high, then the air cushion can be smaller.

If you multiply the factor in the “Solar XTank Pressure Factors” table by the minimum acceptance volume due to thermal expansion, steam expansion, and the reserve volume of glycol in the solar expansion tank, you can determine the minimum tank volume required. For example, if the initial system pressure is 25 psi and the pressure-relief valve is rated at 87 psi, a system with a minimum acceptance volume of 2 gallons will require an expansion tank with a nominal volume of 2 gallons times 2.4, or 4.8 gallons.

Installation considerations. Since solar expansion tank sizing depends upon the system’s initial pressure, the air cushion’s charge pressure, and the pressure-relief valve’s pressure rating, be sure to pay attention to these details during the system’s installation.

The initial system pressure is influenced by the difference in height between the top of the system and the pressure gauge, which is typically located near the solar storage tank. You can select an initial pressure that exceeds the values in the “Solar XTank Pressure Factors” table, since a precise height can be difficult to ascertain (and it’s better to err on the high side), but keep in mind that higher initial pressures will reduce the allowable pressure fluctuation in the system during stagnation.

Selecting an initial pressure below these values may affect system operation. If the pressure is too low, fluid contraction due to cooler system temperatures—such as during winter—could lead to negative pressures at the top of the system. This can encourage air to enter the system and can cause an air lock that will affect pump operation.

The air in an expansion tank is pressurized at the factory. You’ll need to check the precharge pressure with a tire pressure gauge, and increase or decrease it to avoid affecting system performance. For example, if the initial air cushion pressure is 10 psi below the system’s initial operating pressure, the excess glycol could take up one-third to one-half of the acceptance volume of the expansion tank. This will effectively reduce the expansion tank’s capacity.

In SWH systems, common pressure-relief valve ratings include 75, 87, 100, 145, and 150 psi. It is important to verify that the solar expansion tank’s pressure rating is equal to or exceeds the relief valve’s rating. For example, some solar expansion tanks are only rated to 100 psi and would be unsuitable for use in systems with a 145 or 150 psi-rated relief valve.

Also examine the compatibility of the materials used to connect the tank to the piping. If a solar expansion tank with a steel nipple is inserted into a copper female adapter, galvanic action may accelerate the corrosion of the steel. In this case, a brass fitting can be used to separate the steel and the copper, or a stainless steel nipple could be connected directly to the copper piping.

Finally, consider the absorber type in your collector and the collectors’ orientation, since both can influence whether or not fluid can be easily pushed out of the array when steam is created. If the collectors or absorbers act as a trap, the system pressure will increase as the residual liquid turns to steam and the amount of fluid that is forced into the expansion tank will increase. A study performed by the International Energy Agency discusses absorber configurations that promote the emptying of glycol from the collector array during stagnation (see Web Extra).

Comments (7)

There seems to be some confusion about steam back versus boil back . I have never heard the term boil back used . There is a major difference and lack of understanding between evaporation , boiling , and steaming . BOILING REFERS TO APPROACHING THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE TO CREATE STEAM OR the rapid vaporization of a liquid that is heated to the boiling point - the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the pressure exerted on the liquid by the surrounding environmental PRESSURE . A PHASE CHANGE from water / gycol to STEAM requires + 972 BTU PER POUND OF WATER . BOILING REQUIRES only +180 BTU per pound per degree rise to the PHASE CHANGE of steam . Evaporation will change water / glycol to vapor below 212 F , ESPECIALLY IN UNPRESSURIZED DRAINBACK SYSTEMS . Many solar " educators " do not understand that THE WATER /GLYCOL film evaporates out well before the residual film can be degraded . ALL pressurized indirect glycol solutions ARE DEGRADED AT TEMPERATURES OVER 212 F that have changed to steam .As a side note , many manufacturers ( AET for example ) void their warranty in drainback systems if deionized , RO , or distilled water is used but will honor the warranty IF GLYCOL IS ADDED AT 30 % OR HIGHER to distilled , RO , OR deionized . A oversight in many Solar Books and Guides . Tom Lane

No solar water heater should ever stagnate, and I'm sory some designers produce systems that do under normal or power loss conditions. This leads to glycol degradation, and excessive pressure swings, and adding a large expansion tank may allow you to prevent the pressure relief from operating, it does nothing but save the boiling glycol from escaping, which indicates a problem, but is no longer apparent. If no problem is apparent, the glycol will turn acidic and eat the collector tubing, or lose it's freeze protection and burst. This is bad for the industry. Use DC pumps, PV, and properly sized expansion tanks for pressurized glycol systems, and heat dumps on larger space heating systems.

Proper design can mitigate the concerns of acidic glycol due to overheating. As you are likely aware, the type of glycol makes a difference. Using glycol solutions with properly-rated inhibitors goes a long way.

The concept of "steam back" or "boilback" - when done correctly - can also minimize wear and tear on the glycol. If the system is only able to produce a fixed amount of steam when stagnation occurs (i.e. the steam stays trapped at the top of the system and no additional fluid is pushed into the collectors due to proper check valve location) and the collectors empty well, then the glycol really isn't exposed to excessive temperatures. The collectors empty immediately when a small amount of steam forms in the collector at the boiling temperature of the fluid (roughly 220-235F depending upon the system pressure) and as a result the glycol never sees temperatures above this.

A DC motor powered by PV has its issues as well - limited control options, the occasional need for overheating protection to protect the tank, limitations with certain systems, the potential for future shading of the PV module to cause issues. As with any SWH system, it really comes down to choosing the right approach for the application. Many are finding that the use of a "boilback" method with certain antifreeze systems is a robust solution that avoids the problems you mention. Others prefer PV with a DC pump.

I am glad to finally see HOMEPOWER Finally putting the expansion tank with the inlet facing up AND before the pump . It should be mentioned that it should be before the pump by a factor of 12 . That being 12 tines the diameter of the pipe . A tragic mistake in Home Power has been to show constantly the use of swing y or t check valves or even spring loaded check valves . As has been well documented in the American Literature and European literature now - these checks valves result in massive thermosyhon ing of heat back to the roof at night . At a recent IAMPO convention in Philadelphia this was discussed in detail . There are many examples from Bristol Stickey and other sources of exterior heat exchangers frozen and ruptured using mechanical check valves . It has be well documented by the Florida Solar Energy Center that only electrical solenoid check valves wired to the pump should be used on open loop direct or closed loop indirect systems to stop thermosyhon ing . IN POINT OF FACT A 50% glycol mixture will thermopyphon faster and easier than water . The steam back method of heat dissipation is degrading to the glycol solution as the glycol must go through a phase change to steam to Steam Back and not just vaporize out . A heat dissipation system or a vacation mode should be used in the control system . No American manufacturer I.e. AET , SunEarth , etc warrants their collectors to be used in steam back systems . The Europeans Schuco who are now out of the solar hot water business introduced this in to the USA with serpentine collectors . It is critical to understand that unless you especially design a interior bottom of the tank heat exchanger , that only electrical solenoid valves should be used as check valves . Solar Hot Water Lessons Learned 1977 to Today is an excellent book to learn about how to properly do glycol systems .

Your statement about SunEarth is incorrect. If you go to the "Sizing Expansion Tanks" page on their website (http://sunearthinc.com/design-resou...) you will see that they specifically state that "the acceptance volume must be sufficient to accommodate expansion of the heat transfer fluid when the solar loop goes into stagnation."

Any antifreeze system with a differential controller is susceptible to stagnation. This is simply one way to mitigate the issue.

Vaughn , my statement about SunEarth had nothing to do about the article you posted from their website about expansion tanks excepting the expansion from stagnation . No American Manufacturer covers collector corrosion due to glycol fluids becoming acidic . The proper term Steam Back refers to a European design to empty the collector during stagnation WITH SERPENTINE COLLECTORS OR OTHER SPECIAL DESIGNS OF THE ABSORBER in the collector which NO AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CURRENTLY MAKES . SHUCO was the only company promoting Steamback in the USA and have long since left the American and European Thermal market place . If you call SunEarth , AET , or Solar Skies - the three largest American manfacturers or Heliodyne You will see that they do not approve Steam Back systems or have them in any of their designs . My biggest problem with Steamback systems is they require mechanical check valves , which are notorious for allowing reverse thermosyhoning , which requires special internal bottom of the tank heat exchangers to prevent overnight heat lost . I am glad to see Home Power magazine addressing these issues , however , very little has been written about reverse night time thermosyhoning with non electric check valves . Bristol Stickey has recently written about this in Plumbing magazines ( including showing busted exterior heat exchangers ) and old issues of Solar Engineering and Contracting from the 1980's throughly covered this problem , which is also a major problem for open loop direct systems in non freezing climates . Tom

Vaughn , my statement about SunEarth had nothing to do about the article you posted from their website about expansion tanks excepting the expansion from stagnation . No American Manufacturer covers collector corrosion due to glycol fluids becoming acidic . The proper term Steam Back refers to a European design to empty the collector during stagnation WITH SERPENTINE COLLECTORS OR OTHER SPECIAL DESIGNS OF THE ABSORBER in the collector which NO AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CURRENTLY MAKES . SHUCO was the only company promoting Steamback in the USA and have long since left the American and European Thermal market place . If you call SunEarth , AET , or Solar Skies - the three largest American manfacturers or Heliodyne You will see that they do not approve Steam Back systems or have them in any of their designs . My biggest problem with Steamback systems is they require mechanical check valves , which are notorious for allowing reverse thermosyhoning , which requires special internal bottom of the tank heat exchangers to prevent overnight heat lost . I am glad to see Home Power magazine addressing these issues , however , very little has been written about reverse night time thermosyhoning with non electric check valves . Bristol Stickey has recently written about this in Plumbing magazines ( including showing busted exterior heat exchangers ) and old issues of Solar Engineering and Contracting from the 1980's throughly covered this problem , which is also a major problem for open loop direct systems in non freezing climates . Tom